The 2012 Summer Olympics in London are underway, and every day brings countless betting opportunities. Each day also brings new and interesting storylines to follow; here’s a look at some of the action that has transpired so far and how it has affected the odds.
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Phelps still looking for his first gold medal in 2012 games
Four years after going a perfect eight for eight to win eight gold medals in 2008, Michael Phelps has been shut out in two races so far. In the much-anticipated matchup between him and fellow American Ryan Lochte in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley on Saturday, Phelps finished fourth while Lochte took home the gold. And in a surprising result Sunday, France upset the USA in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, and Lochte and Phelps both took the silver medal in that one.
Phelps still has more chances to win gold in these Olympics and is the favorite to do so in two individual events. Phelps is a 1/5 favorite in the Men’s 200m Butterfly and a 2/5 favorite in the Men’s 100m Butterfly. He isn’t favored in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley; he is going off at 3/2 while Lochte is the favorite at 1/2. Lochte is also favored at 2/7 in the Men’s 200m Backstroke.
USA women roll in soccer while Spain’s men falter in London
So far in the group stage it has been business as usual for the USA women’s soccer team. After getting off to an ugly start against France (going down 0-2), the USA scored four straight goals to win that one 4-2, and followed that up with a 3-0 win over Colombia. The USA women finish up the group stage on Tuesday against North Korea.
The USA women are one of three teams off to a 2-0 start in the group stage with the others being Brazil and host Great Britain. The USA women are now 7/5 to win the gold medal (down from 7/4 at the opening), Brazil is currently 16/5 (down from 7/2), and Great Britain is 9/1 (down from 10/1). Japan (1-0-1) is now 7/1 after opening at 5/1, and Sweden (1-0-1) is still 9/1.
On the men’s side there have been a couple of big surprises. The three favorites to win the gold medal coming into the event were Brazil (13/8), Spain (12/5), and Uruguay (8/1). Brazil has done its part with a 2-0 start; but Spain has already been eliminated from medal contention with outright losses to Japan and Honduras. And after losing 2-0 to Senegal, Uruguay is on the outside looking in and would need an upset over Great Britain and help from the United Arab Emirates against Senegal to advance to the next round.
Brazil is now a commanding 4/7 favorite to take home the gold with Great Britain (8/1), Uruguay (8/1), Mexico (10/1), and 2-0 Japan (12/1) the others in contention.
USA hoops and Bolt hoping to carry over 2008 dominance
On August 3, Usain Bolt will try to defend his gold medals in the men’s 100m and men’s 200m events. He is the favorite to win in both, but fellow countryman Yohan Blake isn’t far behind. Bolt is 7/10 in the 100m and 4/7 in the 200m while Blake is 3/2 in the 100m and 13/8 in the 200m. Bovada is currently offering a prop bet asking if Bolt will win both the 100m and 200m gold medals; Yes is +125, while No is -175.
The popular question these days is whether or not this year’s USA men’s basketball team featuring Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and many more could beat the 1992 “Dream Team”; but while we’ll never know the answer to that question, it remains to be seen whether anyone in 2012 can beat this team. The USA rolled over France 98-71 in their opening game on Sunday.
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Related Links:
Olympics Betting: London Games Set to Get Underway on Friday
Bovada Olympic Swimming Lines
Bovada Olympic Soccer Lines
Bovada Olympic Basketball Lines
